less than a brigade each, were driven back ; but fresh columns soon
supplied their places, and it was obvious that the enemy was advancing
in heavy force. General E well s instructions were, if hard pressed, to
fall back and join the main command at Manassas Junction, and orders
were accordingly given for the withdrawal of his forces north of Broad
Run. At the moment of issuing this order a portion of the troops were
actively engaged and the enemy advancing, and yet the withdrawal of
the infantry and artillery was conducted with perfect order, General
Early closing up the rear. The Federals halted near Bristoe Station,
and General Ewell moved without further molestation, Colonel Mun-
ford, of the Second, and Colonel [T. L.] Rosser, of the Fifth, Virginia
Cavalry bringing up his rear to Manassas. The destruction of the rail
road bridge across Broad Run was intrusted to Lieutenant (now Cap
tain) [J. K.] Boswell, of the Engineer Corps, under whose superintend
ence the duty was promptly and efficiently executed. Orders w,ere
given to supply the troops with rations and other articles which they
could properly make subservient to their use from the captured property.
It was vast in quantity and of great value, comprising 50,000 pounds
of bacon, 1,000 barrels of corned beef, 2,000 barrels of salt pork, 2,000
barrels of flour, quartermaster s, ordnance, and sutler s stores deposited
in buildings and filling two trains of cars. Having appropriated all
that we could use, and unwilling that the residue should again fall into
the hands of the enemy, who took possession of the place next day,
orders were given to destroy all that remained after supplying the im
mediate wants of the army. This was done during the night. General
Taliaferro moved his division that night across to the Warrenton and
Alexandria turnpike, pursuing the road to Sudley s Mill, and crossing
the turnpike in the vicinity of Grovetou, halted near the battle-field of
July 21, 1861. Ewell s and Hill s divisions joined* Jackson s on the 28th.

My command had hardly concentrated north of the turnpike before
the enemy s advance reached the vicinity of Grovetou from the direction
of Warren ton. General Stuart kept me advised of the general move
ments of the enemy, while Colonel Rosser, of the cavalry, with his
command, and Col. Bradley T. Johnson, commanding Campbell s bri
gade, remained in front of the Federals and operated against their ad
vance. Dispositions were promptly made to attack the enemy, based
upon the idea that he would continue to press forward upon the turn
pike toward Alexandria ; but as he did not appear to advance in force,
and there was reason to believe that his main body was leaving the road



CHAP. XxTT.l CAMPAIGN IN SOUTHERN VIRGINIA. (545

and inclining to \vard Manassas Junction, my command was advanced
through the woods, leaving Groveton on the left, until it reached a corn-




ions of Taliaferro and Ewell. The batteries of Wooding, Poague and
Carpenter were placed in position in front of Starke s brigade and above
the village of Groveton, and, firing over the heads of onr skirmishers
poured a heavy fire of shot and shell upon the enemy. This was re
sponded to by a very heavy fire from the enemy, forcing our batteries
to select another position. By this time Taliaferro s command, with
Lawton s and Trimble s brigades on his left, was advanced from the
woods to the open field, and was now moving in gallant style until it
reached an on? hard on the right of our line and was less than 100 yards
from a large force of the enemy. The conflict here was fierce and san
guinary. Although largely re-enforced, the Federals did not attempt
to advance, but maintained their ground with obstinate determination.

Both lines stood exposed to the discharges of musketry and artillery
until about 1) o clock, when the enemy slowly fell back, yielding the
field to our troops.

The loss on both sides was heavy, and among our wounded were
Major-General Ewell and Brigadier-General Taliaferro. The latter after
a few months was able to resume his duties ; the former, I regret to say,
is still disabled by his wound, and the army thus deprived of his val
uable services.

This obstinate resistance of the enemy appears to have been for the
purpose of protecting the flank of his column until it should pass the
position occupied by our troops. Owing to the difficulty of getting artil
lery through the woods I did not have as much of that arm as 1 desired
at the opening of the engagement ; but this want was met by Major
Pelham, with the Stuart Horse Artillery, who dashed forward on my
right and opened upon the enemy at a moment when his services were
much needed.

Although the enemy moved off under cover of the night and left us
in quiet possession of the field, he did not long permit us to remain in
active or in doubt as to his intention to renew the conflict.

The next morning (29th) I found that he had abandoned the ground
occupied as the battle-field the evening before and had moved farther
to the east and to my left, placing himself between my command and
the Federal capital. My troops on this day were distributed along and
in the vicinity of the cut of an unfinished railroad (intended as a part
of the track to connect the Mauassas road directly with Alexandria),
stretching from the Warreuton turnpike in the direction of Sudley s Mill.
It was mainly along the excavation of this unfinished road that my line
of battle was formed on the 20th Jackson s division, under Brigadier-
General Starke, on the right, Ewell s division, under Brigadier-General
Lawtou, in the center, and Hill s division on the left.

In the morning, about 10 o clock, the Federal artillery opened with
spirit and animation upon our right, which was soon replied to by the
batteries of Poague, Carpenter, Dement, Brockenbrough, and Latimer,
under Major [L. M.] Shuinaker. This lasted for some time, when the
enemy moved around more to our left to another point of attack,
next effort was directed against our left, This was vigorously repulsed
by the batteries of Braxton, Crenshaw, and Pegram.

About 2 p. in. the Federal infantry in large force advanced to the at
tack of our left, occupied by the division of General Hill. It pressed



646 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., AND MD. [CHAP. XXIV.

forward, in defiance of our fatal and destructive fire, with great deter
mination, a portion of it crossing a deep cut in the railroad track and
penetrating in heavy force an interval of nearly 175 yards, which sep
arated the right of Gregg s from the left of Thomas brigade. For a
short time Gregg s brigade, on the extreme left, was isolated from the
main body of the command ; but the Fourteenth South Carolina Regi
ment, then in reserve, with the Forty-ninth Georgia, left of Colonel
Thomas, attacked the exultant enemy with vigor, and drove them back
across the railroad track with great slaughter. General McGowan re
ports that the opposing forces at one time delivered their volleys into
each other at the distance of 10 paces. Assault after assault was made
on the left, exhibiting on the part of the enemy great pertinacity and
determination, but every advance was most successfully and gallantly
driven back.

General Hill reports that six separate and distinct assaults were thus
met and repulsed by his division, assisted by Hays brigade, Colonel
Forno commanding.

By this time the brigade of General Gregg, which from its position
on the extreme left was most exposed to the enemy s attack, had nearly
expended its ammunition. It had suffered severely in its men, and all
its field officers except two were killed or wounded. About 4 o clock
it had been assisted by Hays brigade (Colonel Forno). It was now re
tired to the rear to take some repose alter seven hours of severe serv
ice, and General Early s brigade, of E well s division, with the Eighth
Louisiana Regiment, took its place. On reaching his position General
Early found that the enemy had obtained possession of the railroad
and a piece of wood in front, there being at this point a deep cut, which
furnished a strong defense. Moving through a field he advanced upon
the enemy, drove them from the wood and railroad cut with great
slaughter, and followed in pursuit some 200 yards ; the Thirteenth
Georgia at the same time advanced to the railroad and crossed with
Early s brigade. As it was not desirable to bring on a general engage
ment that evening General Early was recalled to the railroad, where
Thomas, Fender, and Archer had firmly maintained their positions dur
ing the day. Early kept his position there until the following morning.

Brigadier-General Field and Colonel Forno (commanding Hays bri
gade) were severely wounded. Brigadier-General Trimble was also
seriously wounded.

During the day a force of the enemy penetrated the wood in my rear,
endangering the safety of my ambulances and train. Upon being ad
vised of this by General Stuart I sent a body of infantry to drive them
from the wood^; but in the mean time the vigilant Pelham had unlim-
bered his battery and dispersed that portion of them which had reached
the wood. At a later period Major [William] Patrick, of the cavalry,
who was by General Stuart intrusted with guarding the train, was at
tacked, and although it was promptly and effectually repulsed, it was not
without the loss of that intrepid officer, who fell in the attack w^hile
setting an example of gallantry to his men well worthy of imitation.
During the day the commanding general arrived and also General
Longstreet with his command.

On the following day (30th) my command occupied the ground and
the divisions the same relative position to each other and to the field
which they held the day before, forming the left wing of the army, Gen
eral Longstreet s command forming the right wing. A large quantity
of artillery was posted upon a commanding eminence in the center. After
some desultory skirmishing and heavy cannonading during the day the



CHAP. XXIV.] CAMPAIGN IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA. 647

Federal infantry, about 4 o clock in the evening, moved from under cover
of the wood and advanced in several lines, first engaging the right, but
soon extending its attack to the center and left. In a few moments our
entire line was engaged in a fierce and sanguinary struggle with the
enemy. As one line was repulsed another took its place and pressed for
ward as if determined by force of numbers and fury of assault to drive
us from our positions. So impetuous and well sustained were these
onsets as to induce me to send to the commanding general for re-enforce
ments, but the timely and gallant advance of General Longstreet on the
right relieved my troops from the pressure of overwhelming numbers
and gave to those brave men the chances of a more equal conflict. As
Longstreet pressed upon the right the Federal advance was checked, and
soon a general advance of my whole line was ordered. Eagerly and
fiercely did each brigade press forward, exhibiting in parts of the field
scenes of close encounter and murderous strife not witnessed often in
the turmoil of battle. The Federals gave way before our troops, fell
back in disorder, and fled precipitately, leaving their dead and wounded
on the field. During their retreat the artillery opened with destructive
power upon the fugitive masses. The infantry followed until darkness
put an end to the pursuit.

Our loss was heavy ; that of the enemy, as shown by the battle-field,
of which we were in possession, much heavier. Among the losses was
Colonel Baylor, commanding Winder s brigade, who fell in front of his
brigade while nobly leading and cheering it on to the charge.

We captured eight pieces of artillery, with their caissons, and 6,520
small-arms were collected from the battle-field.

It being ascertained next morning that the Federal Army had re
treated in the direction of Centreville, I was ordered by the command
ing general to turn that position, crossing Bull Bun at Sudley Ford ;
thence pursuing a country road until we reached the Little River turn
pike, which we followed in the direction of Fairfax Court-House until
the troops halted for the night.

Early the next morning (September 1) we moved forward, and late
in the evening, after reaching Ox Hill, came in contact with the enemy,
who were in position on our right and front, covering his line of retreat
from Centreville to Fairfax Court-House. Our line of battle was formed,
General Hill s division on the right, E well s division, General Lawton
commanding, in the center, and Jackson s division, General Starke com
manding, on the left, all on the right of the turnpike road. Artillery
was posted on an eminence to the left of the road. The brigades of
Branch and Field, Col. [J. M.] Brockenbrough commanding the latter,
were sent forward to feel and engage the enemy. A cold and drench
ing thunder-shower swept over the field at this time, striking directly
into the faces of our troops. These two brigades gallantly engaged
the enemy, but so severe was the fire in front and flank of Branch s
brigade as to produce in it some disorder and falling back. The bri
gades of Gregg, Thomas, and Fender were then thrown into the fight.
Soon a portion of Ewell s division became engaged. The conflict now
raged with great fury, the enemy obstinately and desperately contest
ing the ground until their generals (Kearny and Stevens) fell in front
of Thomas brigade, after which they retired from the field. By the
following morning the Federal Army had entirely disappeared from our
view, and it soon appeared, by a report from General Stuart, that it
had passed Fairfax Court-House and had moved in the direction of
Washington City.

On September 3 we left Ox Hill, taking the road by Dranesville and



648 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., AND MD. [CHAP. XXTV.

Leesburg, and on the 4th bivouacked near the Big Spring between
Leesburg and the Potomac.

The official reports of the casualties of my command in its operations
from the Eappahannock to the Potomac will show a loss of 75 officers
killed and 273 wounded, 730 non-commissioned officers and privates
killed, 3,274 wounded, and 35 missing, making a total loss of 4,387.

Col. S. Crutchfield, chief of artillery, discharged his duties well.
The conduct of officers and men during the various engagements de
scribed was such as to entitle them to great praise. The wounded were
skillfully cared for by medical director Dr. Hunter McGuire.

In the transmission of orders I was greatly assisted during the expe
dition by the following members of my staff: Col. A. Smead, assistant
inspector- general j Maj. E. F. Paxton, acting assistant adjutant- general ;
Capt. E. E. Wilbourn, chief signal officer ; First Lieut. EL K. Douglas,
assistant inspector-general ; First Lieut. J. G. Morrison, aide-de-camp,
and Col. William L. Jackson, volunteer aide-de-camp. Captain Wil
bourn was so severely wounded at the battle of Groveton as to be un
able to go farther with the army. The ordnance, quartermaster s, and
commissary departments were well managed by their respective chiefs,
Majs. G. H. Bier, J. A. Harman, and W. J. Hawks.

For further information respecting the detailed movements of troops
and the conduct of individuals I would respectfully refer you to the
accompanying reports. For these great and signal victories our sincere
and humble thanks are due unto Almighty God. We should in all
things acknowledge the hand of Him who reigns in heaven and rules
among the armies of men. In view of the arduous labors and great
privations the troops were called to endure and the isolated and peril
ous position which the command occupied while engaged with greatly-
superior numbers of the enemy we can but express the grateful con
viction of our mind that God was with us and gave to us the victory,
and unto His holy name be the praise.

I am, general, verv respectfully, your obedient servant,

T. J. JACKSON,
Lieutenant- General.

Brig. Gen. E. H. CHILTON,

A. A. and I. G. 7 Hdqrs. Dept. Northern Virginia.



No. 166.

Report of Capt. J. K. Boswell, C. S. Army, Chief Engineer, of operations

August 13-28.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND ARMY CORPS,

February 12, 1863.

COLONEL: I have the honor to report that on the evening of August
13, 1862, having just returned from Clark s Mountain, a very elevated
point 3 miles east of Eapidan Station, I reported to Major-General
Jackson the following as being the position of the enemy s forces on the
opposite side of the Eapidan : The main body encamped around the
slopes of Garnett s and Slaughter Mountains; one division 1 mile north
of Culpeper Court-House, on the Brandy Station road, and a small force
between Mitchell s Station and Lime Church. General Jackson then
directed me to examine, and on the following day to report to him, the



CHAP. XXTY.] CAMPAIGN IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA. 649

most desirable route for passing around the enemy s flank and reaching
Warrenton. I advised that the corps should march from its encamp
ment, just west of Toddsburg, through Orange Court-House; thence
down the Fredericksburg plank road to Dr. Terrill s; then turn to the
left, pass Pisgah Church, and cross the Rapidan at Somerville Ford
thence by Lime Church, Stevensburg, Brandy Station, and Beverly
Ford to Warrenton. This route being approved, the march was com
menced on the evening of the 15th, and on the 16th the three divisions
of Taliaferro, Ewell, and A. P. Hill encamped near Pisgah Church
where they remained for three days awaiting the arrival of a portion
of General Longstreet s command until the morning of the 20th.

On the morning of the 18th a body of the enemy drove our pickets
from Clark s Mountain and found out the position of our troops, and on
the 19th they commenced their retreat toward the Rappahannock. I
was on Clark s Mountain at the time that the retreat commenced, and
immediately gave the information to General Jackson.

At dawn on the following morning (20th) the corps moved forward
in the following order: Generals A. P. Hill, Ewell, and Taliaferro. 1
was ordered by General Jackson to remain at Somerville Ford, where
the corps crossed the Eapidan, until all the divisions had crossed, to see
that there was no delay in fording the stream. This being accomplished,
I rejoined General Jackson about 2 miles beyond Stevensburg, on the
Brandy Station road, where the corps bivouacked for the night. I here
found that General Stuart, with Robertson s brigade of cavalry, had
engaged the cavalry of the retreating enemy near Stevensburg and
driven them across the Rappahannock at the railroad bridge.

Early on the morning of the 21st the command resumed its march in
the following order: Taliaferro, A. P. Hill, and Ewell. Passing Brandy
Station, the front of Taliaferro s division emerged from the wood one-
fourth of a mile south of Beverly Ford about 10 a. m. Finding the ford
guarded by a body of the enemy s cavalry, General Taliaferro brought
up two pieces of Poague s battery and drove them off . General Stuart
then crossed the river with the First Virginia Cavalry and two pieces of
Poague s battery, but the enemy advanced a heavy force and compelled
him to retire. A desultory artillery fight was kept up during the entire
day between the batteries of General Taliaferro and those of the enemy
on the opposite side of the river. I w^as ordered by General Jackson
to take a position on the right, from which I could see Rappahanuock
Station, and to report to him any movement on the part of the enemy.
I stationed myself on a high point a little to the right of the railroad
and about three- fourths of a mile from the river. From this point I
could see that the enemy were in heavy force around Rappahunnock
Station, and that a small body of infantry occupied two very high bluffs
on the south side of the river and a few hundred yards above the rail
road bridge. I communicated these facts to General Jackson, and sug
gested that the enemy might be driven from those bluffs, though they
were somewhat higher than any point on either side of the river, by
placing a large amount of artillery on the ridge east of Glassell s house
and on the hill which I then occupied. Colonel Crutchfield was sent
by General Jackson to examine the position with me, but we did not
meet until it was so late that nothing could be done.




Eastham River, thence to Freeman s Ford; but finding this ford strongly
guarded by the enemy, General Trimble s brigade was left to preserve



650 OPERATIONS IN N. VA., W. VA., AND MD. [CHAP. XXIV,

a crossing and the remainder of the troops moved across the country
(keeping as much as possible under cover) to Dr. M. P. Scott s farm,
just opposite Lee s Springs. General Early s brigade and a portion of
Lawton s brigade were advanced across the Rappahaunock and took
position respectively on the Foxville and Warrenton roads. Heavy
musketry firing during the evening announced that the enemy had
crossed the river and attacked General Trimble, but later it was found
that he had driven them back. A very heavy fall of rain during the
night raised the Rappahannock so much as to render it entirely impass
able, the bridge having been destroyed by the enemy in their retreat.

Early on the morning of the 23d Lieuts. Con way R. Howard and
H. J. Rogers, engineers, of General HilPs staff, commenced to build a
temporary bridge for the passage of General Early s troops. About 11
a. m. General Jackson, fearing lest the enemy might advance a heavy
force against General Early before the bridge could be finished, ordered
me to point out to General Early s assistant adjutant-general, Major
Hale, a road by which the brigade might be moved to Waterloo in case it
should be forced back. This was done, and on my return to the Springs,
a little before sunset, I found the bridge completed and General Early
engaged in au artillery fight with the enemy, advancing on the Foxville
road. They were driven back, and during the night General Early re-
crossed into Culpeper.

A fierce cannonade was kept up during the entire day of the 24th
between our batteries on the hills near Dr. Scott s and those of the en
emy on the opposite side of the river. About 3 p. m. I received an order
from General Jackson to report immediately to him at Jeffersonton,
which being done, he directed me to select the most direct and covered
route to Manassas. I recommended that by Amissville, Henson s Mill,
Orleans, Salem, Thoroughfare, and Gainesville, which he approved, and
directed me to select guards, which I did from Captain [John A.] Adams
company, Sixth Virginia Cavalry, and to direct the front division in
person at dawn on the following morning. Finding General Ewell s
division the most advanced, I conducted it through Amissville and
crossed the Eappahannock at Henson s Mill. Soon after crossing the
river 1 was ordered by General Jackson to take a portion of the Black
Horse Cavalry (Captain [Eobert] Randolph) and Captain [W. W.] Tebbs
company, Second Virginia Cavalry, and advance to Salem, which place
1 reached, via Orleans and Thumb Run Church, about 4 p. in. without
encountering any portion of the enemy s force. Later in the evening
Colonel Munford came up with the Second Virginia Cavalry, and we
spent the night in the town, the advance of the infantry encamping a
mile south of town.

Early on the morning of the 26th General Ewell moved forward, fol
lowed by A. P. Hill and Taliaferro, passing through the Plains and
Thoroughfare Gap to Gainesville. Here, leaving the Mauassas road
and moving to the right, the advance came in sight of Bristoe Station,
on Orange and Alexandria Railroad, about sunset, just after one of
the enemy s trains of cars passed the station. Advancing suddenly,
the Louisiana Brigade captured a number of prisoners acting as depot
and bridge guard. In a lew minutes another train came in sight mov
ing in the direction of Alexandria. It was fired upon by the Louisiana
Brigade and an attempt made to stop it, but without effect. A third
train soon came in sight and was fired upon. The track a short dis
tance beyond the depot had been previously removed, and the train,
consisting of an engine, with about twenty empty cars, was thrown down
a high embankment and very much broken. A fifth train shared the



CHAP. XXIY.] CAMPAIGN IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA. 651

same fate. Still another came in sight, but returned in the direction of
Warrenton. General Jackson directed me to move the engines and cars
across Broad Run Bridge in the direction of Manassas Junction, but I
reported after an examination that the engine and cars were so broken
that it would be impossible to move them. He then ordered me to de